H5N1 research will now be published

The full details of controversial research on the H5N1 bird flu virus will now be published despite fears that the work could be misused by bioterrorists.

Professor Ron Fouchier, from the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam, who created a version of the H5N1 virus that could potentially spread among humans, said he had been given the go-ahead by the US National Science Advisory Board (NSABB) to publish his research after he revised the original manuscript to add more information.

By using ferrets in a laboratory, Fouchier proved it was possible to change H5N1 into an aerosol-transmissable virus that could be spread rapidly through the air.

Fouchier said he was delighted that his work looked set to be published.

‘The information from the study can be used to prevent a pandemic or to develop vaccinations and drugs earlier,’ he said. ‘The best way of doing this is by sharing as much information as possible in scientific journals.’

The NSABB said it strongly supports the ‘unrestricted communication of research information unless that information could be directly misused to pose a significant and immediate risk to public health and safety’.

The NSABB ruled that Professor Fouchier’s work, and that of Dr Yoshihiro Kawaoka of the University of Wisconsin, posed no threat to public health or national security.

The scientists were planning to publish their research in the journals Science and Nature.

The NSABB has sent its recommendation to the US government for approval.